Nets player grades: Cam Johnson drops 28 in 122-114 win over Hawks
NEW YORK -- The Brooklyn Nets (23-45) were hoping that they could end their home back-to-back with at least one win given how close they were to beating the Boston Celtics on Saturday. With their matchup against the Atlanta Hawks (32-36) on Sunday, Brooklyn had a chance to end their three-game losing streak and hopefully, turn their season around in terms of morale.
The Nets got what they wanted as they beat the Hawks 122-114 despite not only losing a 10-point lead early on, but also falling behind by 12 points in the second half. Cam Johnson led the way once again as he put up 28 points, four rebounds, and seven assists while Keon Johnson played his role to perfection with 22 points, eight rebounds, and five assists while filling in for Cam Thomas.
The Nets were able to pull out the win despite Trae Young going for 28 points and 12 assists as he was almost single-handily creating offense for his teammates over the course of the game. Here are the Nets player grades following Sunday's win over the Hawks:
Tyrese Martin: B+
Martin had a solid game for the Nets while filling in for D'Angelo Russell at the point guard spot as he was able to get his buckets against a vulnerable Hawks defense. Martin did not do too much assisting during his time on the floor, but with his ability to get hot shooting the ball from three-point land, he will be able to get away with that for the time being.
Keon Johnson: B+
Johnson, like Martin, was starting in place of Cam Thomas, who is out of the lineup with a left hamstring strain that could end his season. Johnson had a pretty good game against the Celtics on Saturday, but with less bodies available for the Nets, he was going to be on the floor for plenty of minutes once again. Johnson did a good job of scoring the ball and his energy always seems to have an impact on his teammates.
Cam Johnson: A
Johnson ended up not shooting the ball well, but he started the game well with his ability to get to the rim against some tough defenders on the Hawks. What hurt Johnson in this game was his poor performance from three-point land as he couldn't get anything going, but his dribble-drive game made up for it. Other than that, Johnson did a good job of passing the ball in the wake of D'Angelo Russell missing the contest.
Jalen Wilson: B+
With Ziaire Williams being ruled out just minutes before tipoff, someone had to step up for the Nets in the frontcourt and Wilson was able to do that on such short notice. Granted, Wilson would have played a solid amount of minutes either way, but being in the starting lineup last-minute did not mess up his game preparation. Wilson did a good job of scoring the ball and he made some nice passes as well.
Nic Claxton: C
Claxton returned after missing Saturday's loss to the Celtics due to rest, but he was basically an afterthought in this one. Claxton did not attempt many shots on the offensive end of the floor as he seemed to take a backseat to almost everyone else on the floor. Claxton just didn't seem to have the presence that he normally does as he didn't make much of an impact with his rebounding or defending the rim.
Trendon Watford: B
Watford returned after missing Saturday's loss to the Celtics as the Nets are managing his left hamstring and he played solid basketball coming off the bench. Watford had success from all over the floor as he was able to get into the paint and get to the rim on most occasions. As he has tended to do, Watford also did a good job of being the backup point guard and setting up his teammates.
Maxwell Lewis: B+
After Lewis' breakout game against the Celtics, head coach Jordi Fernandez played him more minutes in this one and he repaid that in investment against the Hawks. Lewis has been impressive with his ability to score the ball behind the three-point line and at the rim while not getting out of character. Lewis was disruptive on the defensive end of the floor and his energy throughout the game was palpable.
Day'Ron Sharpe: B
Sharpe did a good job of bringing energy and presence off the bench for the Nets as he was going against the combination of Onyeka Okongwu and Dominick Barlow. Sharpe was efficient scoring the ball around the rim and he brought his usual lunch pail to work when it came to the rebounding phase of the game. Sharpe also did a good job of rebounding the basketball and protecting the rim as well.
Reece Beekman: C+
With the amount of injuries that the Nets were dealing with coming into this game, someone had to step up off the bench and Beekman was able to meet the challenge for the most part. Beekman did not necessarily light up the stat sheet, but he played within his role and showed that he is capable of some shotmaking when he gets comfortable. Beekman did not get exposed on the defensive end and didn't turn the ball over, either.
This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets player grades: Cam Johnson drops 28 in 122-114 win over Hawks
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